Monday, September 4, 2017

Oklahoma guitar hero J.J. Cale had a long career as a session man and recording engineer before launching a low-key but cult-like followed solo career in his early 30s. A master at melding bluegrass, country, blues and folk into a murky, swampy, unique presentation that became part of the "Tulsa Sound," Cale had many of his signature tracks covered by high-profile names such as Lynyrd Skynyrd ("Call Me The Breeze"), Captain Beefheart ("Same Old Blues") and Eric Clapton ("After Midnight," "Cocaine," several others)- the one who extolled Cale's virtues like no other, crediting him with a change in his approach in the mid-70s and even collaborating with him on an album in 2006. Cale continued to make interesting work up until his 2013 death and is featured on this 2nd podcast of 2017 for S&G.

This here is the 2nd official episode of 2017 for the Sound & Groove Podcast but of course it's way overdue. Don't fret though. Another 4 will still follow here in the rest of 2017. This particular edition is the second of a 2-episode theme with songs of the celestial- ie dealing with or alluding to outer space and all the various orbital/flying objects found in it. How fitting considering the recent solar eclipse to cross the planet.

And if you haven't been keeping up with S&G on Music of Evan's Mind and/or its newest home at www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com, here's the breakdown: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy while I played edited-down versions of each tune. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. Got it? Get it? Good. Happy listening to you all!

Intro- "Just Like A Woman" by Nina Simone (1971)Outro- "My Baby Just Cares For Me" by Nina Simone (1958)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Friday, August 4, 2017

Between 1969 and 1972, English folk musician Nick Drake only issued three, low-key, mainly acoustically performed albums on the UK label Island Records. He was 20 when the 1st (Five Leaves Left) was recorded and just 23 when the final one (Pink Moon, a followup to the middle companion, 1971's Bryter Later) was issued. However in subsequent years, more popular artists championed his unique, jazz-inflected but folk-based music and critics began to come around to praising an artist that had gone virtually unnoticed in his brief recording career- one marred by poor promotion, a reluctance to perform live and constant battles with depression that eventually led to him fading from the spotlight, albeit a dim one, after 1972. Drake never returned to his music, as a prescription drug overdose in 1974 ended his life (labeled suicide by the coroner and several others, though that verdict has been disputed ever since). Another piece of proof that unknowns in their era may come to prominence as a celebrated cult artist years later, Drake is included among the 8 songs including on this particular S&G Podcast episode.

This here is the 1st official episode of 2017 for the Sound & Groove Podcast but of course it's way overdue. Don't fret though. Another 5 will still follow here in the rest of 2017. This particular edition is the first of a 2-episode theme with songs of the celestial- ie dealing with or alluding to outer space and all the various orbital/flying objects found in it.

And if you haven't been keeping up with S&G on Music of Evan's Mind and/or its newest home at www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com, here's the breakdown: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy while I played edited-down versions of each tune. And not to worry, each month will containe a different theme than the last. Got it? Get it? Good. Happy listening to you all!https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/cedandelivery85/episodes/2017-08-04T07_32_56-07_00

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Scottish-born twins, the Proclaimers, who emerged in the late 80s with their strikingly similar looks & vocals- unique in that they maintained their thick Scottish brogue instead of opting to Anglicize or even Americanize their singing voices. One of their signature tunes from their early days in the limelight is featured on this S&G Podcast episode- officially the last of 2016, though finally released here in June 2017.

This here is the 6th episode of 2016 for the Sound & Groove Podcast but of course it's way overdue. Finally back from sabbatical, S&G is finally bestowing that final one from a year ago on you. Just happens to come about 6 months too late! :D Don't fret though. Another 6 will still follow here in the rest of 2017. This particular edition is a stand-alone theme just for this episode and it's songs that centre on the postal service side of things, ie sending off a letter, delivering a message, shipping a package. You catch my drift?

And if you haven't been keeping up with S&G on Music of Evan's Mind and/or its newest home at www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com, here's the breakdown: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy while I played edited-down versions of each tune. And not to worry, each month will containe a different theme than the last. Got it? Get it? Good. Happy listening to you all!

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

1978 saw Elvis Costello release his sophomore effort but this time with his road band, the Attractions, credited along with him. The result was a pile-driving, snarling, edgy, yet melodic and well-crafted album entitled This Year's Model. It produced a few hit singles but more importantly sprung the unlikely looking rock star to a new level of critical and commercial fame- one that had a few bumps along the way before he found a more settled, mellow period of his career in the mid-80s. The debate raged on about whether he was punk or simply just pub rock or even power pop but Elvis embarked on a career where he tackled just about every genre under the sun and proved himself an intelligent, subversive singer-songwriter along the way that wasn't defined by his earlier, guitar-driven compositions.

This here is the 5th episode of 2016 for the Sound & Groove Podcast and on this one, we explore songs that are usually left out of the lists of essential listening (say that three times fast) for major pop/rock artists. So I'm talking great compositions that only the hardcore fans of these names would rank up there, but ones that the officially record company releases and radio playlists tend to forget about or infrequently use. This will be the 2nd of 2 episodes on this theme, as I collect for you my favourite nuggets or overlooked gems from some big names in contemporary music history over the past half century.

And if you haven't been keeping up with S&G on Music of Evan's Mind and/or its newest home at www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com, here's the breakdown: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy while I played edited-down versions of each tune. And not to worry, each month will containe a different theme than the last. Got it? Get it? Good. Happy listening to you all!

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Monday, October 3, 2016

By 1973, there was no bigger soul star than Al Green. Just when the Memphis-based soul scene looked played out and all but spent as a commercial force as the 70s dawned, Green emerged from a little known record label called Hi Records to revive the sound. With Willie Mitchell as a writing and production guide, a string of smash hit singles and LPs resulted over the next 7 years- though the hot streak wavered by the end with the advent of disco. What set Green apart from others to emerge in R&B/soul at the time was that he could churn out 2 albums a year and still pack great music onto it all with very little filler- a rarity for a soul artist historically. So in other words, while he didn't use the LP as a concept tool like a Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye, he didn't skimp on giving essential offerings away from the A and B side of his 45s. Using a less impassioned, savagely excitable approach than the 60s soul greats, Green sang silky, smooth and spiritual, managing to become both a sex symbol and a darling of the music critics in the process. He was praised not only for his versatile voice but for the quality of the songwriting, choice of covers and knack for reinventing the originals as well as how exquisitely arranged the tracks could be- often coming off as romantic yet raw at the same time. The whirlwind life of fame eventually led Green back to his Christian roots and to become an ordained minister, which also led to a decade and a half period (1980-94) where he recorded nothing but gospel and essentially turned his back on stardom. One of his lesser known but nonetheless powerful cuts- taken off 1973's Living For You- can be heard in this S&G episode.

This here is the 4th episode of 2016 for the Sound & Groove Podcast and on this one, we explore songs that are usually left out of the lists of essential listening (say that three times fast) for major pop/rock artists. So I'm talking great compositions that only the hardcore fans of these names would rank up there, but ones that the officially record company releases and radio playlists tend to forget about or infrequently use. This will be the 1st of 2 episodes on this theme, as I collect for you my favourite nuggets or overlooked gems from some big names in contemporary music history over the past half century.

And if you haven't been keeping up with S&G on Music of Evan's Mind and/or it newest home at www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com, here's the breakdown: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centred around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopsis, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy while I play edited versions of each tune (to make room for talk and for a good 7-10 songs per 45+ minute episode). And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. Got it? Get it? Good. Happy listening to you all!

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Chicago Soul/R&B legend Gene Chandler scored his pop breakthrough with "Duke Of Earl" in 1962 and jumped on the opportunity to ride the momentum by donning a cape, top hat and monocle for publicity appearances/photos as well as concerts whenever he performed the signature doo-wop classic. He would keep achieving hits off and on throughout the decade, though none that were the smash "Duke Of Earl" was. Chandler then moved into a production and eventually A&R work in the music industry by the end of the 70s.

This here is the 3rd episode of 2016 for the Sound & Groove Podcast where we explore songs that discuss royalty. That's right, whether it be kings, queens, dukes, duchesses, kingdoms/empires- anything feudal, absolutist and/or medieval; all of it fits the criteria. Could just be the allusion or metaphor the song is built upon or the actual subject matter of the lyrics. This is the 2nd of 2 episodes that collect some of my favourites from a variety of artists. Yep, it was only a matter of time before I got onto the monarchy what with all this hoopla over Prince's death.

But anyway, if you haven't been keeping up with S&G on Music of Evan's Mind and/or it newest home at www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com, here's the breakdown: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centred around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopsis, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy while I play edited versions of each tune (to make room for talk and for a good 7-10 songs per 45+ minute episode). And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. Got it? Get it? Good. Happy listening to you all!

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!